Feedstocks, Production and Benefits of Biodiesel

Abstract

FAME ( Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) is environment friendly , alternative, nontoxic, safe, biodegradable in water (98% biodegrades in just a few weeks), contains less sulfur compounds and has a high flash point . It can be used as renewable fuel . It is commonly produced by esterifying or transesterifying the vegetable oils or animal fats with methanol .Because of the Energy Crisis of the world and the environmental problems of the fossil fuel, FAME is studied in majority as biodiesel recent years and will be termed as Biodiesel in this paper. It can be used as neat or blend with conventional fossil derived petrodiesel. For its production and application as a cleaner burning diesel engine fuel, raw material that is feedstock is a key factor. This paper reviews the most possible feedstocks which can be used to prepare it and the same time various methods of production of biodiesel from vegetable oil like transesterification of biodiesel using homogenous, heterogenous ( acid and base catalyst) and enzyme catalyst .Some methods like ultrasound and microwave assisted transesterification is also incorporated. The benefits of the use of biodiesel as a viable alternate to conventional fuel is also being discussed in brief.